Human Rights as an Ideology? Obstacles and Benefits

an article by Lea David (University College Dublin, Ireland( published in Critical Sociology Volume 46 Issue 1 (January 2020)

Abstract

Sociology has an important part to play in understanding human rights.

In this article, I trace obstacles within sociology to theoretically conceptualize human rights as an ideology.

These impediments, I suggest, demonstrate the need to recognise the blind spots within sociological research. However, instead of trying to persuade readers why human rights qualifies as an ideology, I attempt to demonstrate why it is beneficial for sociological inquiry to conceptualise human rights as an ideology.

Instead of following the widely accepted practice of understanding human rights as a desirable set of values designed to promote a liberal peace, I propose conceptualising human rights as an ideology which, through its institutionalisation, produces coercive organisational and doctrine power.

The question of whether its organisational and doctrine power is capable of value penetration in micro-solidarity groups opens up a new prism through which sociologists can assess the successes and failures of human rights ideology on the ground.

Labels:
human_rights, ideology, sociology,

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